960 Throttle Body Upgrade

Post by **rguzz** » 28 Nov 2018, 13:23

This upgrade is under consideration for my 96 855t. Currently has 3" down pipe, stock otherwise. I have all the needed parts for the TB upgrade. From what I gather, there is the possibility that I will need a dyno tune to adjust for the change in air/gas ratio with the larger throttle body. So, what is that and what does that entail? ECM will recognize this upgrade and not throw a CEL? I know some of you have done this. Car runs like a top now, so not interested in complicating the situation, also recently did the PCV so don't need to be in there otherwise. Willing to put this off as there are other priorities, as always. Thinking I might do this at some point, though. Thoughts? Worth it? Forget it? Thanks!

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 28 Nov 2018, 13:35

I've been thinking about doing this as well - been looking at that kit they have over at vivaperformance, and keeping an eye out for the parts around here... not a lot to source, unfortunately.

Anyway. The throttle body on its own will not do much. The idea, as far as I'm aware, is to facilitate better flow, but the TB that we already have on ours isn't an obstruction at the stock tune/setup level. So if you're not also upgrading the intake manifold, putting on an R exhaust manifold and big downpipe and exhaust, getting the "Big Pack" from do88 and going whole hog on the flow, you're not really going to see much of a change.

If you do go that route in the end and increase flow that much through the engine, you will need a tune that takes those upgrades into account, but you'll have no trouble that I know of just throwing the larger TB in there on its own. The MAF will still know how much air is coming in, and the ECU will get you the fuel and spark for it, no worries.

- S

Post by **rguzz** » 28 Nov 2018, 17:40

TB "upgrade" must include the NA intake manifold which is necessary for fitment of the TB itself as I understand it. I forgot to mention I have an "R" exhaust manifold along with a 3" down pipe. I'm nervous about interfering as it runs great now. If in springtime if I'm highly motivated I might do this swap. I know a few people here have done this...how's it working for ya?

Post by **tryingbe** » 28 Nov 2018, 18:35

Waste of time if you still have a stock intercooler. One of the port of the intercooler is 2 inch. The stock throttle body is 2.5 inch. Where do you think the bottleneck is?

Post by **rguzz** » 28 Nov 2018, 18:41

Looks like a marginal improvement with some potential risk.
So maybe leave well enough alone.

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 28 Nov 2018, 21:41

There’s hardly any risk to it, and this is the way to go for better flow (I’m a poet, right) but if you do swap the manifolds and DP as well, you’ll need a new tune. It’ll overboost if you don’t, you’ll go lean and pop your top, so to speak.

Tryingbe is right, though - and I mentioned it as well. The IC will be your bottleneck and a do88 “big pack” style thing is the way to go.

- S

Post by **rguzz** » 29 Nov 2018, 10:47

Ok, thanks. A tuner like ARD?

Post by **rspi** » 01 Dec 2018, 17:55

Cars go faster (more power) with more air, fuel, exhaust flow... I would be concerned with going lean, that's almost as bad as over boosting.

Three things you don't want: Lean, Over boosting, Knocking.

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 02 Dec 2018, 10:55

rspi wrote: ↑01 Dec 2018, 17:55 Three things you don't want: Lean, Over boosting, Knocking.

Overboost = lean = knocking. Then heat, then no more fun time in Volvo town.

A tune from ARD or iPD that fits the setup is the way to go. BSR and a couple of others also have tunes that will accommodate for higher air flow, bigger turbos and larger injectors, while accounting for stock internals.

-S